|
New Laws Taking Effect January 1,
2026
[January 02, 2026]
As Illinoisans prepare to ring
in the New Year, nearly 300 new laws are set to take effect on
January 1, 2026.
These new laws cover a wide variety of topics, including policies
that impact students, enhance educational opportunities, improve
public health and healthcare access, support veterans, and more.
Below is a summary of some of the more interesting new laws
impacting Illinoisans.
Improvements to Education for Students and Families
Several new laws are taking effect that relate to K-12 education in
Illinois schools. House Bill 2801 (P.A. 104-0249) requires ISBE to
create a list of approved opportunities related to CTE career
pathways. Similarly, House Bill 2802 (104-0250) allows students to
have excused absences to participate in Supervised Career
Development Experiences that are approved instead of directed by a
teacher, allowing students to more easily receive excused absences
for FFA events, career and technical education-related events, and
national youth organizations’ events.
Other new laws that seek to enhance educational opportunities
include House Bill 3026 (P.A. 104-0266) and Senate Bill 1920 (P.A.
104-0399). HB 3039 expands what scenarios 7th or 8th graders can
complete courses that can count toward required high school credits.
SB 1920 encourages schools to collect teaching resources to properly
implement American Sign Language (ASL) course standards while
expanding access to ASL as a recognized language option.
Parents and guardians of students with special needs will benefit
starting January 1 from a new law that strengthens their involvement
and oversight. House Bill 1366 (P.A. 104-0047)
improves notification and communication requirements so parents
receive timely notice about special education services and meetings.
It also provides that information be shared that states a parent or
guardian is allowed to bring other people with knowledge of the
child to the IEP meeting. Similarly, through House Bill 3500 (P.A.
104-0314), parents and guardians will receive information regarding
ABLE savings accounts for their students with 504 Plans. This will
help families better understand financial tools available to them.
Regarding safety in the classroom,
two new laws seek to improve processes and protective measures.
Senate Bill 1329 (P.A.104-0373) allows the State Superintendent of
Education to notify a school when an employee is being investigated
for an alleged act of misconduct that constitutes a threat to the
safety of students, including serious physical injury, sexual
misconduct, or a sex or other offense involving drugs. Additionally,
House Bill 1787 (P.A. 104-0198) ensures substitute teachers receive
basic training related to school safety drills to improve
consistency in emergency preparedness.
At the higher education level, students will have enhanced access to
mental health services through House Bill 3385 (P.A. 104-0303). This
new law requires each public university or community college to
provide licensed mental health professionals either in a part-time,
on-campus capacity or a full-time on or off-campus capacity.
Insurance Changes
Key constituent groups will benefit from changes coming to the
Insurance Code in 2026. House Bill 2464 (P.A. 104-0060) helps
families avoid high medical expenses by requiring coverage for
neonatal intensive care from a nonparticipating provider or
nonparticipating facility at no greater out-of-pocket cost than with
a participating provider or facility, as long as the care is for
emergency services. For older Illinoisans, House Bill 3328 (P.A.
104-0295) establishes pre-admission cognitive assessment
requirements for assisted living facilities with Alzheimer’s units
to ensure accurate evaluation of cognitive impairments. And Senate
Bill 69 (P.A. 104-0068) requires insurance companies to cover
therapeutic horseback riding services for qualifying individuals
with disabilities. This newer form of therapy helps with the
engagement of sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems.
Improvements to Public Health and Healthcare Access
Several new laws related to Public Health and Healthcare Access seek
to improve outcomes for Illinoisans in need of support. House Bill
57 (P.A. 104-0037) ensures individuals with disabilities living in
CILAs can designate an essential support person who may visit even
during public emergencies, while Senate Bill 1491 (P.A. 104-0106)
strengthens crisis intervention response by certifying law
enforcement therapy dog teams. House Bill 1287 (P.A. 104-0172)
improves emergency preparedness by adding long-term care facilities
licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act to the list of facilities
that must maintain accessible automated external defibrillators (AED).
For individuals who choose to be organ donors, House Bill 1616 (P.A.
104-0193) removes barriers to organ donation by extending donor
leave protections to part-time public employees, which were
previously available only to full-time employees, allowing up to 10
days of leave within a 12-month period.
House Bill 2462 (P.A. 104-0229), known as Dillon’s Law, expands
community readiness to address severe allergic reactions by allowing
trained individuals to carry and administer epinephrine
auto-injectors in emergencies. Additionally, House Bill 2874 (P.A.
104-0252) seeks to reduce illegal drug manufacturing by tightening
regulations surrounding the sale of ephedrine-related products.
House Bill 3645 (P.A. 104-0321) enhances the tracking of the opioid
epidemic by requiring EMS providers to report opioid overdoses to
the state in a standardized format, and Senate Bill 1238 (P.A.
104-0369) encourages safer and less-addictive pain management
options by requiring medical providers to give patients information
on non-opioid treatment options.
Vulnerable populations will benefit from enhanced training
requirements for guardians through House Bill 2562 (P.A. 104-0237).
New training requirements for guardians of adults with disabilities
will now have two components: one for guardians of the person and
another for guardians of the disabled person’s estate. Illinoisans
on hospice care will have easier access to their prescriptions
through House Bill 3849 (P.A. 104-0336), which allows authorized
employees of an organization providing hospice care to pick up
prescriptions on behalf of patients.
Finally, parents will have increased awareness of possible metal
toxins in baby food through Senate Bill 73 (P.A. 104-0345). This new
law requires stricter testing and transparency regarding heavy
metals in baby foods by requiring that manufacturers of baby food
test each production batch of baby food for toxic heavy metals,
including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
Supporting our Veterans
Action was taken in the legislature this year to support veterans
and enhance their access to services. Senate Bill 32 (P.A. 104-0067)
reduces barriers that veterans may face when trying to qualify for
and access SNAP benefits by providing that households including
veterans or armed forces members should be categorically eligible
for SNAP benefits if their gross income is at or below 200% of
federal poverty guidelines. Similarly, Senate Bill 2175 (P.A.
104-0136) improves veterans’ access to healthcare by providing that
veterans who are employed receive four paid days per year to receive
medical care authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
at any type of health care provider or health care facility (rather
than permitted four days per year to visit a veterans hospital or
clinic). And lastly, House Bill 2572 (P.A. 104-0238) supports
families who have sacrificed for the country by expanding
eligibility for scholarship grants to dependents of veterans.
Improving Women’s Health
Comprehensive changes are coming in the area of women’s health. New
laws related to insurance changes include House Bill 5282 (P.A.
103-0701), which improves maternal health protections for new
mothers by extending certain pregnancy- and postpartum-related
healthcare coverages. House Bill 5295 (P.A. 103-0703) broadens
insurance coverage for hormone-therapy to treat menopause, and House
Bill 4180 (P.A. 103-0808) helps with early detection of breast
cancer for women with dense breast tissue by requiring insurance
coverage for enhanced breast imaging for those at higher risk of
developing breast cancer.
Other new laws that benefit women’s health include House Bill 2688
(P.A. 104-0244), which increases access to maternity care options by
clarifying and expanding scope-of-practice rules for certified
midwives.
Addressing the Crime of Human Trafficking
Several strides were made in the ongoing battle against human
trafficking. Senate Bill 1422 (P.A. 104-0099) seeks to improve early
intervention by enhancing training for frontline workers to
recognize trafficking indicators. House Bill 2602 (P.A. 104-0241)
provides enhanced protection by extending the statute of limitations
for certain trafficking-related crimes. Victims of human trafficking
will also have access to several new programs as they move into
recovery. Senate Bill 2323 (P.A. 104-0159) enhances Illinois’
response to human trafficking by streamlining support services and
enhancing coordination among state agencies. House Bill 1302 (P.A.
104-0173) amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act to
enhance victim rights and reporting procedures for criminal sexual
assault and domestic violence cases.
[to top of second column] |
Helping Tomorrow’s Farmers
Individuals seeking to enter Illinois’s top industry of agriculture
and farming will receive valuable assistance through Senate Bill
2372 (P.A. 104-0146). This law creates a Farmland Transition
Commission to examine current barriers individuals aged 25 through
40 face when trying to purchase or access farmland. The commission
members must review current incentives and policies to encourage the
transfer of farmland to current or prospective farmers between the
ages of 25 and 40 and make recommendations on possible incentives or
policies to assist these individuals in purchasing or accessing
farmland.
Improved Business Practices, E-Signing
A few new laws will modernize business practices in Illinois. Among
them are House Bill 1631 (P.A. 104-0195) and Senate Bill 2044 (P.A.
104-0406). HB 1631 clarifies the Department of Innovation and
Technology’s authority, emphasizing more secure and standardized
state technology practices. It is intended to reduce confusion
across agencies and strengthen accountability. SB 2044 expands the
validity of web-based signatures for a wider range of transactions.
It creates new levels of convenience for consumers and businesses
while promoting secure verification standards.
Enhanced Consumer Protections & Fraud Prevention
Significant steps were taken this year to protect consumers from
fraud and put strengthened rules in place for those who might prey
on the elderly and other vulnerable groups. House Bill 1865 (P.A.
104-0055) targets predatory insurance selling practices, especially
those aimed at seniors in nursing home/long-term care settings and
seeks to hold bad actors accountable without burdening legitimate
agents. Similarly, Senate Bill 2318 (P.A. 104-0144) ensures that
FinTech companies and any others face penalties for misleading
consumers into believing that they are chartered banks. The measure
is designed to back honest businesses and protect consumers from
dishonest schemes. Additionally, House Bill 3352 (P.A. 104-0297)
prohibits collection agencies from pursuing debts obtained through
coercion or abuse by providing victims with a clearer process to
challenge illegitimate debt claims.
When Illinoisans with mental health issues or disability challenges
are hospitalized, House Bill 3718 (P.A. 104-0327) strengthens
oversight of mental health and developmental disability facilities
by improving how employee misconduct is investigated, helping
protect residents and reassure families and loved ones. It promotes
accountability within state-run and contracted programs and should
provide families and loved ones with peace of mind. House Bill 1431
(P.A. 104-0181) requires clearer disclosure when medical facilities
charge separate “facility fees.” This will help patients better
understand costs upfront and avoid unexpected bills. Another new
law, House Bill 1597 (P.A. 104-0191), strengthens protections for
residents in assisted living and nursing homes by requiring notice
of significant health changes and preventing unsafe or improper
discharges to help ensure seniors and people with disabilities
receive appropriate care and to give families peace of mind.
Addressing Environmental
Concerns
With hopes of reducing the amount of garbage in landfills, House
Bill 3098 (P.A. 104-0274)
updates standards for recycling electronics by encouraging
responsible disposal. It specifically includes provisions regarding
education and consumer awareness requirements for electronic
recycling events. It also simplifies the permit process for those
who want to host an e-waste collection program. In addition, Senate
Bill 2425 (P.A. 104-0148) revises regulations surrounding low-level
radioactive materials with a focus on safety compliance.
Public Safety, Criminal Justice
Several new laws aim to improve public safety in 2026. Senate Bill
1195 (P.A. 104-0084) updates training standards for law enforcement
by requiring the curriculum for probationary law enforcement
officers to include a block of instruction addressing
trauma-informed programs, procedures, and practices. Additionally,
House Bill 3140 (P.A. 104-0276) supports law enforcement animals
that served the state by establishing a program to ensure proper
medical care for retired police K-9s.
Other new laws that address public safety and criminal justice
include House Bill 3439 (P.A. 104-0307), which prioritizes child
safety by strengthening background-check requirements for childcare
workers, and House Bill 2690 (P.A. 104-0245) which strengthens
penalties and reporting requirements for crimes involving child
sexual abuse materials.
Victims of sexual assault have new avenues available to them through
Senate Bill 1274 (P.A. 104-0371). This law helps victims of sexual
assault flee their abusers by providing free transportation vouchers
to be used for taxis and car-share services. Another new law that
seeks to improve outcomes for victims is House Bill 2774 (P.A.
104-0247), which requires the Department of Human Services to
establish a statewide Domestic Violence hotline for information and
referrals.
Individuals with developmental disabilities will benefit from
expanded outreach under Senate Bill 1548 (P.A. 104-0384), which
allows the Endangered Missing Person Advisory outreach program to
promote awareness directly to individuals with developmental
disabilities, their communities, and the organizations that serve
them. And Senate Bill 24 (P.A. 104-0339) seeks to provide families
with clarity and closure by improving procedures for reporting and
investigating missing persons and unidentified remains.
House Bill 1697 (P.A. 104-0027) and
Senate Bill 1295 (P.A. 104-0372) enhance lifesaving capabilities
during emergencies by requiring all dispatchers to be trained in how
to guide callers through the steps of CPR, while House Bill 3178
(P.A. 104-0282) regulates the misuse of digital replicas of
individuals for harmful or deceptive purposes by protecting personal
likeness rights amid evolving technology like AI. And lastly, Senate
Bill 1563 (P.A. 104-0029) strengthens property owners’ rights by
making it easier to remove squatters who move in and try to occupy
someone else’s home, by removing the requirement that property
owners undergo a lengthy eviction process.
Laws Affecting Sportsmen/Women, Landowners, and Outdoorsmen
Outdoor enthusiasts will see new enhancements through a series of
bills taking effect on January 1. House Bill 2340 (P.A. 104-0059)
provides for the issuance of free landowner deer permits for
landowners with at least 20 acres who live in counties where DNR has
identified chronic wasting disease in the deer population. Also
benefiting sportsmen/women is Senate Bill 710 (P.A. 104-0361), which
loosens regulations concerning nuisance permits and landowner
permits by providing for the automatic issuance of additional
antlerless-only permits during the regular firearm or archery season
if a landowner demonstrates proof of harvesting certain percentages.
This new law also provides that Illinois resident tenants of at
least 40 acres of commercial farmland can receive free deer and
turkey permits to hunt only on that land, including one either-sex
and one antlerless-only permit for both firearm and archery deer
seasons. For boaters, Senate Bill 2179 (P.A. 104-0137) improves
enforcement and encourages safer recreation by updating
boat-registration procedures and safety standards.
Improving Safety for Motorists and Drivers
Motorists and cyclists will enjoy improvements that aim to improve
safety on the roads. House Bill 1120 (P.A. 104-0041) helps first
responders in emergencies by removing the ineffective requirement
for driver’s licenses and state IDs to include space for voluntary
blood-type and Rh-factor information, and Senate Bill 2075 (P.A.
104-0408) standardizes training guidelines and increases the number
of training Illinois training centers for motorcycle riders.
[Provided by Illinois State Senator
Sally Turner]
|
